I first came to know Melvin through his book.
When I started teaching at Sungkyul University in the 1990s, I used his book Can the Pastor Do It Alone? At that time, I thought he was simply a senior pastor serving one church in the United States. Later, however, I discovered that he was leading the Lay Pastors Ministry not only throughout the United States but also around the world. I translated his materials and have used them in Korean churches for more than fifteen years.
At the International Conference 2000 in St. Louis, I met him face to face for the first time. He appeared to be in his late sixties. During the conference, he introduced me to all the participants. A few years later, I visited his home while attending another conference.
On my second visit to his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, his wife was ill and resting in bed. Melvin and I spent time talking about the ministry in his study room in the basement. That conversation was extremely helpful and encouraging. Since I had committed myself to this ministry, the opportunity to speak with him was both practical and precious.
After I formally began this ministry in 1995, I communicated with him almost every day. In the beginning, he was my teacher; later, he became my mentor in ministry. We communicated primarily by fax because neither of us used email at that time. In fact, I still have about 200 pages of his fax letters.
During those early years, we discussed many aspects of the ministry: how to begin, how to build a leadership team for LPM Korea, and how to develop ministry materials. He generously gave me permission to translate all of his resources, including two books, four manuals, and three re-equipping materials.
He helped me tremendously. He truly cared for me and invested a great deal of his time, energy, and wisdom in my life and ministry. Because of his guidance and support, I was able to grow and develop in a healthy and effective way.
